Prasanna’s Kalyana Samaiyal Saadham directed by newbie R S Prasanna has just released and is receiving appreciation. “I played Raghu, an urban guy, who discovers he has stress-induced erectile dysfunction when he is about to get married. I wondered how people would take to this sensitive issue. But this kind of overwhelmingly positive response was totally unexpected!” says Prasanna. In between numerous theatre visits, he chats with CE about the film and his career choices so far.
Ask him how he accepted a role that most heroes would be hesitant to take up and he says, “I was apprehensive initially. I wondered how the topic would be presented. But my good friend, producer and director Arun Vaidyanathan, whom I worked with in Achamundu Achamundu, and director Prasanna, both assured me that the making would not be vulgar. They gave me a bound script, so I knew exactly what they were going to shoot. Arun fine-tuned the dialogues along with the director. So I was happy to say yes!”
He’s all praise for director R S Prasanna’s vision. “The movie touches upon family values, views of strong minded, contemporary women and also the dilemmas faced by modern couples,” he says.
The actor was touched by comments from the public, “One man told me that he had suffered just like my screen character, and had thought life was over. But now he has two kids. So he was happy that the film tackled this issue so that others wouldn’t be disheartened,” smiles Prasanna. He’s all praise for Arya as well. “It’s rare for actors to call and appreciate each other. But Arya saw the movie, got my number through a common friend and called me up! He compared it to Vicky Donor and said he loved the film,” he says. His wife Sneha too was supportive. “She encouraged me saying, ‘If its challenging for you, take it up’,” he adds.
Despite his talent, why are there long gaps between his films? “I can choose only from the scripts I am offered. I’ve been doing only interesting roles so far. I like to be pushed beyond my comfort zone. So I reject roles that I don’t find special. Films like KSS are rare and getting good roles takes time. Hence the gaps,” clarifies Prasanna, who will be seen in Pulivaal next.